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Original poster

Cheeky neighbours want me to pay

435 replies

eggfairy1 · 12/04/2022 22:55

New neighbours bought a flat in my building. There are eight flats in total in the building.

I haven't met them yet but they're buying for investment and I found it posted online for rent already.

I came home the other day to find the main door to the building had been painted. It was shabby before and could do with a coat but this was surprising since I hadn't been consulted and it was a shared door. The new colour is black which I was always told was a bad omen. I really didn't like it but didn't want to make a fuss.

They have now emailed us saying they want the flats to equally contribute £25. Lovely to meet you too.

It may not sound like a lot of money but I am really budgeting right now and my weekly budget for fun is £30 and it would have to come from that which is miserable.

I just know if I send them the money I will be bitter about it and anxious that they may expect me to pay in the future without consenting me.

If asked, I would have reluctantly agreed to have it painted just not black.

Is there any way I can get away with not paying and not entirely ruin any relationship with them?

OP posts:
Pollyphila · 13/04/2022 05:49

Ignore. Do not enter into correspondence, they are trying it on.

Roselilly36 · 13/04/2022 05:51

Should be works covered by annual maintenance charge. Check the lease.

Pawtriarchal · 13/04/2022 05:52

I’d say something like the below and to reply all to your other neighbours.

‘Hi, welcome to XXX!

I wasn’t aware of the consultation regarding this maintenance work being required, or the materials and colour chosen, so can’t contribute this time. Good news that you can offset the costs as maintenance on a rental property though, just in case you weren’t aware.’

jay55 · 13/04/2022 05:56

[quote eggfairy1]**@Electriq* and @worriedatthistime* I only pay a service charge for hallway cleaning not for maintenance too[/quote]
Then how is buildings insurance paid?

RettyPriddle · 13/04/2022 05:59

Your lease must contain maintenance/contribution obligations. Your Solicitor should have explained how these are organised in practice, when you purchased. Go back to your report on title letter and see what it says.

narkyspirit · 13/04/2022 06:09

If the maintenance is hared then quotes and estimates should be obtained and agreed before any works take place.

Is it a shared freehold? we have this and one in the block thinks they can do whatever they want, ground floor added a conservatory! soon shot down as no one agreed the party wall works.

I would check the lease as shared areas are covered in this, specifically decorating and standards. new neighbours think they can change what has worked well for years and get work done and expect to only pay minimum for it.

Newnormal99 · 13/04/2022 06:14

[quote eggfairy1]@NarcissasMumintheDoghouse I had no idea. I'm not close with any of the other home owners but I expect that not all will pay and then they won't be so keen to do communal improvements[/quote]
Part of the reason I sold my flat and didn't rent it when I moved was the fact that they charged minimal maintenance ans had no real sinking fund and had any work needed doing it would have been a nightmare. What happens if there is a sudden roof leak that's not covered by insurance? Who ipfronta the money while you try and claim 'x' from each house. My sister flat may charge a lot in maintenance but they know they have major capital works coming up and what is needed for these. I'd rather be in scenario 2!

LoveSpringDaffs · 13/04/2022 06:27

Don't pay. There must be an official agreement as to the responsibility for the communal area & the roof. Plus buildings insurance etc.

They cannot just go around doing whatever they fancy, let alone expect others then to pay.

How about a simple 'Any change to the communal area needs to be done through the correct procedure'

If you're feeling braver 'and this isn't it! The painting of the door is on you for cost & any comeback'.

Don't mention your finances, it's irrelevant, what they have done is not on!

I know you don't like the black, but it's a pretty standard door colour, what if they decide they're going to paint the hallway pink/orange stripes with bright green DP lodges. Or get the roof replaced??

Zonder · 13/04/2022 06:35

I would be speaking to a couple more neighbours and seeing how they feel. Good chance to connect with them anyway,which sounds like it could be useful moving forward with these new cf buyers.

IncompleteSenten · 13/04/2022 06:37

Don't pay.
I'd send a note back saying that you won't be paying and that any work needs to be agreed in advance, including contractor and price if they want others to contribute.
And give a copy to all flats.

Whydidimarryhim · 13/04/2022 06:56

The brass cheek of them!! Don’t pay -

Pegasushaswings · 13/04/2022 07:03

Dont pay it, they will claim this expense back against tax in some way. They chose to do it to improve THEIR rental.

RedWingBoots · 13/04/2022 07:05

lease www.lease-advice.org/

gives advice if there is a leasehold on your flat. (Some freeholders also have leaseholds on their flats )

If the flats are commonhold there will be an agreement about maintenance.

Regardless the other flat owner cannot just paint a communal door and charge you without consulting you all first. It doesn't matter if it's only £25.

If there is any form of management company or other freeholders you need to make them aware of the change this flat owner has done to the front door by forwarding the email they sent you. There is no need for you to reply to the new flat owners email.

If there is not or they are the only freeholders simply tell them as they done the works without proper consultation you will not be paying.

RedWingBoots · 13/04/2022 07:08

Btw I know a share of freeholder who tried something similar to this on another share of freeholder, who also had a lease, and another leaseholder.

They both sent him letters telling him to bugger off as he hadn't consulted them. (I saw a copy of the letters.) The amount was £100 each.

Chestofdraws · 13/04/2022 07:09

I don’t think the cost is excessive, two doors, cleaned, sanded, prob two coats of paint, from a proffessional. It’s prob about right. And it needed doing.

They have went about it wrong, and should have slight agreement, and if you can’t afford it you can’t afford it, but for me, I’d be pleased soneone done it, maintaining these areas adds value, so if I had the money I’d pay and say in future do not carry out work without consent from all owners.

Riverlee · 13/04/2022 07:11

I wouldn’t pay either. If they demand it again, then ask for details of expenses (£200 !) and ask that all future work to be agreed by all residents before commencing. Else I can see there will be more costs going forward. Thus is the thin edge of the wedge.

pilates · 13/04/2022 07:16

Sorry if I have missed, but do you own part of the freehold with all the flat owners? If so, you need a properly run maintenance fund where work is formally agreed before taking place. If not, why isn’t the freeholder/management company attending to this?

tomatorich112 · 13/04/2022 07:17

Do not pay, they will be painting the hallway and putting down new carpets next. you need to make it clear these things must be agreed.

I'm more concerned that you don't seem to have a management company for bigger issues. You will be in a real pickle if the roof needs work or underpinning is necessary, or there's a fire....please look into that.

endofthelinefinally · 13/04/2022 07:22

This has flagged up a potential minefield. All residents need to get their paperwork out and check their lease/ buildings insurance etc. Do it now and make sure you all have adequate protection in place in the event of a fire or flood or other problem.

WonderingWanda · 13/04/2022 07:22

I can't believe you are worrying aboyt whether refusing to pay might ruin your relationship with them. They haven't got a relationship with you, they didn't even introduce themselves before sending you a request for money. Just say no, do 't feel anxious, feel angry at what entitled twats they are.

GeneLovesJezebel · 13/04/2022 07:29

Cheeky fuckers. No way I’d pay.

GeneLovesJezebel · 13/04/2022 07:29

But keep the email address incase you have any issues with their renters.

Isthisit22 · 13/04/2022 07:30

@RettyPriddle

Your lease must contain maintenance/contribution obligations. Your Solicitor should have explained how these are organised in practice, when you purchased. Go back to your report on title letter and see what it says.
Agree with this. You seem alarmingly unaware of how it works. You must have communal buildings insurance. There must be someone managing communal upkeep??
Bogeyes · 13/04/2022 07:32

If it's a shared door they should have asked your permission to paint it I think they are treading on your toes here. I certainly wouldn't give them any money.

Mindymomo · 13/04/2022 07:34

I would be worried that this could be the start of them doing other work and expecting you to pay 1/8th of cost every time. You need to look at lease and you need to reply that any future work on building/grounds needs to be discussed prior to work being undertaken. This is one of the reasons blocks of leasehold flats have residents committees.